Hulk Hogan sex tape case: Former WWE wrestler awarded $115 million

A sex tape posted online on Gawker's website in 2012 showed Hogan having sex with a friend's wife.

Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan, arrives for his trial against Gawker Media, in St Petersburg, Florida March 17, 2016. New York based media company Gawker is being sued for $100 million by wrestling celebrity Hogan, who says the release of a sex tape violated his privacy.Reuters

A six-person jury on Friday awarded former WWE wrestler Hulk Hogan $115 million in the invasion of privacy suit filed against Gawker Media.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, had sued Gawker, its founder Nick Denton and former editor A.J. Daulerio for $100 million for posting online a sex tape featuring Hogan. The sex tape was posted on Gawker's website in 2012 and it showed Hogan having sex with a friend's wife.

"Mr. Bollea is exceptionally happy," his lawyer David Houston said outside the courtroom, according to CNN Money. "This is not only his victory today, but also anyone else who's been victimized by tabloid journalism."

Gawker argued that it decided to publish the video because Hogan had consistently put his private life out there for public consumption. Gawker's legal team also pointed out that their actions were protected under the First Amendment.

However, the former wrestler argued that there was a clear distinction between Hulk Hogan the celebrity and Terry Bollea, and that the video violated Bollea's privacy.

Hogan's ex wife Linda recently opened up about her true feeling about the sex tape and said that he "single-handedly" ruined their 25 years of marriage. During an appearance on Inside Edition, the former VH1 reality show star also read out an emotional letter she had written her ex-husband.